ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT

Date: February 8, 2000
Author/Local: Jill Davidson/7670
RTS No. 01268
CC File No. 2201

Council: February 22, 2000

TO:	Vancouver City Council
FROM:	Director of the Housing Centre
SUBJECT:	Grant Request for Marpole Temporary Shelter

RECOMMENDATION

THAT Council approve a grant of $50,000 to Lookout Emergency Aid Society for operating a temporary winter shelter at 8982 Hudson Street for 1999/2000. Source of funds is the Affordable Housing Fund.

GENERAL MANAGER'S COMMENTS

The General Manager of Community Services RECOMMENDS approval of the foregoing.

COUNCIL POLICY

Council's housing priorities are low and modest income families with children, seniors, low-income singles living in downtown rooming houses and hotels, and those with mental
or physical disabilities.

In November 1996, Council approved a grant of $50,000 to Lookout Emergency Aid Society for a temporary 1996/1997 winter shelter at 8982 Hudson. On April 29, 1998, Council approved a grant of $100,000 to Lookout Emergency Aid Society for the same winter shelter for 1997/1998 and 1998/1999.

A grant requires 8 votes of Council.

BACKGROUND

The Marpole Shelter at 8982 Hudson Street has been operated by Lookout Emergency Aid Society on a temporary basis for five winters. The City has provided a grant of $50,000 for the three most recent winters. DISCUSSION

Marpole Shelter is an important part of the Lower Mainland cold wet weather strategy which provides 400 shelter beds for the homeless. Marpole provides 50 beds and the occupancy at the shelter is high. Last year 705 individuals were accommodated, up 10.5% from 1997. Last year people were turned away 350 times mainly due to no bed or no appropriate bed available.

The shelter has been operating in a temporary location and is a former remand centre, owned by the British Columbia Building Corporation, and is for sale.

The "hometown" of those accommodated last year is as follows:

Vancouver	60.1%
Lower Mainland/Fraser Valley/Sunshine Coast	14.9%
Rest of B.C.	2.7%
Rest of Canada	22.3%

The total projected expenses and sources of funding for the Marpole Shelter are as follows:

Year	Expenses	Source
1998/1999	$411,329	Ministry of Human Resources, Ministry of Housing, Real Estate Foundation, Greater Vancouver Mental Health, Vancouver Richmond Health Board, City of Vancouver, Vancouver Foundation, Burwell Foundation, Central City Foundation, Vancouver Food Bank, Salvation Army Dunsmuir House, Cash Donations
1999/2000	$442,596	Ministry of Social Development & Economic Security, Ministry of Housing, Greater Vancouver Mental Health, Vancouver Richmond Health Board, City of Vancouver, Human Resource Development Canada, Burwell Foundation, Cash Donations

The letter of request including a detailed budget is in Appendix A. There has been an increase in expenditures of $31,267 over last years approved budget. The increase is due to an increase in staff benefits negotiated as part of the Community Sub-Sector Health Accord Agreement, over which Lookout has no direct control. The staffing levels have not increased.
This year's budget shows a $115,200 shortfall between projected revenue and expenses, and Lookout has requested funds from the Human Resources Development Canada to cover this. If this is not provided, the shelter will be closed earlier than April 30 or Lookout will make further grant requests to the Provincial Government and church groups.

When the temporary shelter opened, Lookout met with local businesses and neighbours to foster a positive relationship. This has continued and few complaints have been received about the facility. Local groups and individuals continue to provide donations and volunteer services such as cleaning and resume-writing assistance.

In conclusion, it is recommended that the City provide a grant to Lookout for the operation of a temporary shelter at 8982 Hudson Street. The shelter meets a need for temporary winter accommodation outside the Downtown Core. It is well run and generally supported by its neighbours.

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(c) 1998 City of Vancouver